Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Rockets 61-55 loss to Wildcats, Belquist hits 1,000 points
Kelsie Belquist was awarded her 1,000th point basketball during Friday's game against the Benson County Wildcats. Here she is pictured with her family (from l to r): Elliott Belquist, Beth Belquist, Kelsie Belquist, Emmie Belquist, Bo Belquist and his girlfriend Hannah Haley.
NR-S sophomore, Ava Peterson dribbles the ball around Benson County defender Ella Fossen.
On Friday, Jan. 5, the New Rockford-Sheyenne Rockets hosted the District 4, Region 2 competitors – the Benson County Wildcats.
Coming into this game, the Wildcats had an overall record of 5-4, versus the Rockets record of 3-6, meaning this would be a great district and region matchup.
The Rockets kickstarted the game with a line drive to the basket by none other than senior Kelsie Belquist.
After what seemed to be a million turnovers, the Wildcats were able to put some points up on the board with a free throw shot by Ella Fossen.
Nearly 50 percent of the Wildcats points in the first quarter came from free-throws.
At the end of the first, the Rockets were ahead 12-9.
In quarter two, K. Belquist and Ava Peterson went to town. Between the two, they scored a total of 14 points.
On the other side of the court, Fossen and Aubrey Kenner were the only two to score – with five points from Fossen and seven from Kenner.
At the half, the Wildcats trailed the Rockets 21-26.
Kenner kicked off the second half for the Wildcats with a drive to the basket to score two. Moments later, Benson County freshman Kaitlyn Maddock went on a breakaway drive to the basket to score two more for the Wildcats.
The Rockets were finally able to score in the third quarter after K. Belquist was sent to the line to shoot two free throws.
Little did anyone know these two points were the final points K. Belquist needed to secure her 1,000th point. Congratulations Kelsie!
The Rockets began a full-court press on the Wildcats, but left Kenner open to shoot a wide 3-pointer. And this is where Kenner started her takedown.
The Wildcats scored four points between Kenner and Maddock before the Rockets were able to score at all.
After two more free throws and a layup by K. Belquist, the Rockets took the lead once again.
A 3-pointer by Maddock canceled that lead for the Rockets, giving it back to the Wildcats 41-39.
With a free throw shot by Isabella Engstrom, the Wildcats took a 42-39 lead going into the fourth quarter.
K. Belquist put up a shot inside the paint to score the first points of the fourth quarter. But a technical foul called on NR-S assistant coach Nathan Jensen gave Maddock the chance to shoot two-for-two at the line.
NR-S senior Lora Wobbema was found wide open under the basket and scored her only points of the night. And with a free-throw shot by K. Belquist, the Rockets and Wildcats were tied at 44-44.
With wide open shots, Peterson secured four more points for the Rockets, giving them the lead.
But with the next possession, Maddock swished a 3-pointer, bringing the Rockets lead down to a single point.
Peterson answered back with a 3-pointer of her own to bring the score to 50-47. But once again, Kenner swished a 3-pointer, followed by teammate Maddock, also with a 3-pointer.
It was moments later and Kenner hit her final 3-pointer of the night, giving the Wildcats a 56-50 lead.
The Wildcats and Rockets each scored five more points, giving the Wildcats the 61-55 win.
Top scorers for the Rockets were K. Belquist with 29 and Peterson with 19.
As for Benson County, Kenner led with 29 points, followed by Maddock with 14 and Fossen with 11.
The junior varsity Rockets also came up short to the Wildcats, 29-47.
On Saturday, Jan. 13, the Rockets traveled to Washburn to take on the Cardinals in a doubleheader along with the NR-S boys' basketball team.
The Rockets have a full schedule of home games this week. First, the Rockets will take on the District 4 Warwick Lady Warriors (A,B,JH) on Monday, Jan. 15 starting at 4:30 p.m. On Tuesday, the Rockets will host the non-region Harvey/Wells County Hornets (A,B,JH) starting at 4:30 p.m. And finally, the Rockets will host the District 4 Larimore Polar Bears (A,B,JH) on Friday, Jan. 19 starting at 4:30 p.m.
Come out and cheer on the Rockets in these upcoming games!
District 2, Region 4
Girls' Basketball
NR-S 55, Benson Co. 61
Friday, Jan. 5
in New Rockford
NR-S: 12 14 13 16 - 55
BC: 9 12 21 19 - 61
NR-S: Kelsie Belquist 29, Ava Peterson 19, Katie Allmaras 3, Emmie Belquist 2, Lora Wobbema 2. Totals: 22 FG, 9-13 FT, 13 fouls. Technical foul: Assistant coach Nathan Jensen.
Benson County: Aubrey Kenner 29, Kaitlyn Maddock 14, Ella Fossen 11, Lacie Fautsch 6, Isabella Engstrom 1. Totals: 20 FG, 11-18 FT, 15 fouls. 3-pointers: Kenner 5, E. Fossen 2, Maddock 2, Fautsch 1.
Junior Varsity
NR-S 29, Benson Co. 47
NR-S: 5 7 10 8 - 29
BC: 16 13 13 5 - 47
NR-S: Addysen Fandrich 9, Camebria Engels 8, Emmie Belquist 6, Isla Jacobson 2, Kaci Weisenburger 2, Bailey Jacobson 2. Totals: 11 FG, 5-10 FT, 13 fouls. Fouled out: Jaida Schumacher.
Benson County: Vada Fossen 11, Haley Scevers 10, Brylee Stubrg 7, Jorja Green 6, Lacie Fautsch 6, Emilie Backer 3, Genna Nelson 2, Hailey Baker 2. Totals: 20 FG, 5-17 FT, 7 fouls. Fouled out: Scevers. 3-pointers: Scevers 1, V. Fossen 1.
